135mm finder

[Fraser]

I bought a 135mm nikkor a couple of years ago (I think) for my S3 tried it briefly but never really used it because I don't have a finder, found a nikon 135mm finder on the big auction site at a good price seems optics are a bit cloudy but still usable but for only a little bit more I can get a Leica finder.
Anyone ever had the nikon finder in bits to clean?
Any thoughts on Nikon v Leica finders?

It seems a shame to use a Leica finder on a nikon!

 

[Fixcinater]

If you are thinking of the all chrome simple tube type finder, they are pretty easy to strip and clean.

Canon also made a similar finder for their 85, 100, 135mms so that's another option as they sometimes go for low prices. Similar easy construction there, too.

The zoom finders are the next level up but something like a VIOOH could work. 135 setting on those is pretty small, though, so not ideal. They are cropping type so it just cuts down the field of view, with no additional magnification.

 

[BillBingham2]

Depends upon how close-up you are to your subject. If you are filling the frame with your subject's head, I think you will be off a bit. I can't say how far away you need to be before you are "close-enough".

Sorry I can't give you more specifics.

B2 (;->

 

[mpaniagua]

Depends upon how close-up you are to your subject. If you are filling the frame with your subject's head, I think you will be off a bit. I can't say how far away you need to be before you are "close-enough".

Sorry I can't give you more specifics.

B2 (;->

Got the same problem with 35mm finder for Contax on my Leica. Framing is kinda off. Probably due to shoe being on different location.

Regards

Marcelo.

 

[rbiemer]

I quite like the FSU turret finder for my 135mm lens. Parallax corection is very basic but I like that they're not a simple crop of the fov but are effectively little telescopes. They are going to scratch eyeglass lenses, though.
And, relatively inexpensive at around US$50 or so these days.

Rob

 

[peterm1]

I have stripped and cleaned a few finders though not a Nikon one - finders are easier to CLA than lenses in my experience.

The Leica one which dedicated for 135mm and built on the brightline principle looks excellent - I have seen a few in the flesh but have not used them. Another option may be the Canon 135mm finder designed for early RF cameras by Canon (pictured below). The early 135mm one is a bit small and you need to squint a bit but then again it is in keeping with the small viewfinders on cameras in the day. It does have a distance adjustment though the markings (designed for a Leica LTM style camera by Canon will not align properly close up when used on a taller Nikon). There is also a later brightline version which I have linked below. This would be a good bet as the view is better. From memory it tilts up and down for distance adjustment.

If you do not like the idea of using the Leica(or other name brand finder) finder on a Nikon, a better option may be an after market one - many variants were made back in the day and were commonly used by working photographers. Some can be had relatively cheaply today and though I have not checked I expect prices to have fallen given the advent of digital where they are less often needed. Many of the better quality ones have variable focal lengths (e.g. some are built on the turret finder principle and I like these though they are bulky) and many have adjustment for distance to subject - though a bit of trial an error is needed to get it right as not all cameras have the same dimensions and hence the geometry is different). The nice thing is that many of these finders enlarge the image which helps when shooting at 135 (others only mask off the area around the image so the subject viewed through the finder can be tiny.)

Perhaps the most well known and accepted one is the Tewe (pronounced Tyooee) finder which is similar in design to the Nikon variable finder though it can be a bit expensive in my experience. There are also other ones built on the same design which are cheaper - I have one of these and it works fine. Most I have seen go to 200mm which is useful from time to time as 200mm lenses for rangefinders were available though less common.

I like the Leica VIOOH which has a 135mm setting (at least in some variants - you may need to check). It is built like a tank. But I do not especially like the fact that it does not enlarge (but rather masks ) the subject so 135mm objects look pretty small through the window. But it works well over all once you get used to this quirk.

Very cheap brightline finders can sometimes be found too. These are at the low end of price and design and typically have brightlines for a wider angle lens and a longer focal length lens in the same small package. They actually work better than you would think.

A good overview of finders:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/tewe%20polyfocus.html

(oops screwed this link up- its duplicated below and I cant find the one I intended to post)

An even more comprehensive overview

https://www.cameraquest.com/leicafin.htm

Tewe Variable Finder

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/tewe polyfocus.html

Nikon Variable Finder - you cna see this 2/3 the way down the page. And you can see the physical similarity to the Tewe. The only issue may be price - it used to tend to be a bit expensive as it is sought by collectors as well as users (though not sure today if that is still so).

http://www.nicovandijk.net/rfviewfinder.htm

A typical after market turret finder - I have one identical to this but the prism has become detached and needs fixing. These can be beautiful finders that work well having the advantage that they are variable - usually 35mm to 135mm.

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/751256781560618211/

This 85mm Canon finder is identical in size and design to the 135mm one. Both are often seen on eBay and work well despite being small. Good eyesight is advised.

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/751256781560617916/

The late Canon brightline finder for 135mm

https://www.picclickimg.com/00/s/MTA4OFg5MjA=/$(KGrHqZ,!l4E-epbkvBKBP2NJZMt!!~~/135mm-Canon-bright-line-finder-for-Canon-Leica-Nikon-_1.jpg

 

[Robert Lai]

I recommend the Canon finder.
I have the 135mm and 85mm Canon finders, as well as a Nikon 85mm finder. All of these have had the haze cleaned off the lenses. This is easy to do, as you just have to unscrew the caps on each end of the finder tube. However, I find that the Nikon tends to flare a bit more in backlit situations compared to the Canon finder.

 

[BillBingham2]

I ended up changing my two body carry kit to 1 RF body and wide to normal glass and 1 SLR body for anything longer (two lenses). While I didn't use the SLR often, I was a lot quicker, perhaps because I was surer of the results.

As I didn't switch from Nikon SLRs to Leica, I did end up switching to Nikon RFs. While I never made it to an SP or S3, the S2 handled close enough to my F to make life fun.

B2 (;->

 

[richardHaw]

cleaned a couple of them.
the biggest inconvenience is getting the frame to be parallel 😱😱😱
The rear collar of the chrome ones isn't easy to remove but the rear optics is easy to access.

the zoom finders are a better deal 🙄

 

[farlymac]

The Zeiss 438 combo 85/135mm finder works very well.

PF

 

[Fraser]

Thanks for all the info that's really helpful

 

[Fraser]

i don't think this should have been moved as there is very few post in the Nikon RF section and my original questions was regarding Nikon S3 and Nikkor 13.5cm.

 

[presspass]

I have and regularly use a Leica 135 bright line finder. It's excellent, even better than the frame lines in the .85 Leica finders. They are among the most commonly available Leica finders and are also relatively inexpensive - a good one can go for $100 or less. I realize that's relative, but compared to $350 plus for a 35 finder, they're bargains. I wear glasses and have no trouble seeing the entire field of view and it does not scratch my glasses. I also have a Canon tube finder that came with an LTM lens and it's nowhere near as easy to use.